Scale-beam



(No Model.)

I. RIGDON.

SCALE BEAM.

No. 271,274. Patented JaILBO, 1883.

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`UNITED STATES PATENT i Cri-"rca,

ISAAC RIGDON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

scLE-BEAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,274. dated January 30, 1883,

(No model.)

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, ISAAC RIGDON, of the city of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Scale-Beams, of which the following; is a specification.

My invention is more particularly applicable to large platform-scales, such as are used for weighing coal or grain, and on which it is at times desirable to weigh pounds and at other times to weigh bushels but certain features of my invention may, however, be advantageously employed for smaller scales, such as warehouse or counter scales.

One feature of my invention relates to the positionl and relation ofthe various beams and indexes for weighing pounds or bushels, and another feature relates to the formation and construction of the various weights. In the present instance, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown my invention as constructed for application to scales for weighing coal.

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sec-tion taken in the vertical plane of the line .fr .r on Fig. l, and looking in the direction ot' the arrow. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the main beam.

A is the table or platform for supporting` vthe beam. Secured to the top of this table is the ydouble pillar or support a, in the upper end of which is fulcrumed the scalebeam B, the usual knife-edgefulcrum-points being used to secure greater accuracy. The long arm ot' the scale-beam, when depressed by the e eight, is supported by the pillars a', the upper ends f of which are provided with a weighted pawl,

a2, to prevent any vibration of the beam when the scale isnotin use.

The beam B consists of the main beam C, the tare-beam C', the light-weight beam-C2, and the index-beam C3, thel three latter being placed, as shown, at the sides ot' the main beam C, and parallel thereto, and connected to'said main beam by the brackets or arms b L'. The tare-beam C' is made of an inverted- V shape, as shown in Fig. 2, presenting an inclined surface to the eye of the operator, making the index thereon readily discernible. This beam C' is connected to the main beam C by the brackets b, located one at either end of the beam, is stamped the index representg ing pounds, the purpose of this beam being to weigh the wagon, cart, or other receptacle. On this beam C' is located a sliding weight, I), having preferably a V-shapcd opening, d, the angle formed by the upper sides of said opening being equal to the angle ofthe beam C'. In one side ofthe weight D is formed the pointer d'. The shape of the beam C' and the opening (Z in the weight always insure accuracy of said weight, as, no matter how much the wear may be, the weight always rests firmly on the beam and cannot tilt or rock. A set-screw, D', passes through the lower portion ot' the weight D and into the opening cl, by which the weight may be secured in any desired position on the beam. y

vIn front of the main beam C are located the index-beam C3 and the light-weight beam C2, both of said beams being connected to the main beam by the brackets b'. The beam C2 is preferably in the form of a rod, as shown, upon which is located the sliding weight E. The index-beam Cil consists of a vertical bar, F, preferably made of steel, andan inclined plate, F', upon which latter plate is stamped the main index of weights, both for pounds and bushels. The weight E is provided with a surrounding collar, c, in which is formed a notch, e', which latter engages with the lower edge of plate F', upon which lower edge is stamped the particular index for the weight E, the collar c on said weight serving as a pointer. In the upper edge of the bar F are formed a series of notches, j', which represent pounds, and another series of notches which represent bushels, and each of these notches has one side-preferably that side which is toward the fulcrum--vertical, the other side of said notch being inclined. Directly under each of these notches, and on the plate F', is stamped the index indicating its position in the scaleof pounds `or bushels.

The upper edge of the main beam C is made V-shaped, and upon this beam is located the main weight G, which is capable of sliding on said beam. In the lower side ot' this weight G is formed the recess or opening g, which extends the entire length ot' the weight, and

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which is located a little to one side of the vertical longitudinal center of the weight, so that the portion h at the front side of the weightis heavier than the portion h at the back ot' said weight. This recess is made somewhat wider than the thickness ofthe beam C, and its root` is preferably concave, so that. itonl y rests upon the beam C at either end. The roof of therecess g is made V-shaped, the angle formed being more obtuse than the upper edge of the beam C, upon which the weight G rests and slides. From thatside of the weight G which is neXt to the index-beam C3 projectsalug, H,

the lower edge ot' which is beveled, and is ca-V pable ot' Iitting into either of the notches ff',

into which it may be placed by sliding` the weight G on the beam C. On top of the weight G is a knob or handle, I, by which the weight is manipulated. When it is desired to -move the weight G on theb'eam this Weightis rocked on the upper edge of the beam until the lug H is freed from the notches in the bar F, when the weight may be slid to the desired position,

and the lug is then allowed to enter another of the notches in said bar, the shape of the notches and thelower edge of thelug, as above described, always insuring perfect accuracy of position, the heavy portion hof the weight always keeping the lug securely in the notches and against the vertical face of the latter until it is desired tomove the weight.

To the short arm of the main beam is connected the adjustable end J, from which is4 suspended the counterbalance-weight K for balancing the beam. This end J is made adinstable ou the beam, so that the center of gravity of the beam may be slightly varied to insure more perfect accuracy ofthe beam. To the end J is also connected the rod L, on which is located the usual adjustment-weight, M. The rod N is suspended from the short arm of the beam by the stirrup O, and this rod N establishes connection between the scale-beam and platform.

The manner in which my invention,as above described, is operated is as follows, supposing it 'to be constructed for weighing coal: The wagon or cart to be loaded is driven onto the platform and its weight taken by the weight D on the tare-beam C', after which it is loaded. As an ordinary cart-load of coal is twenty-tive bushels, the weight E on the light-Weight beam C2 is preferably just sufficiently heavy when moved to the end of the beam to balance twenty-iive bushels of coal, so that when this sizedload is to be weighed it is only necessary to use the weight E, but if it is desired to weigh a larger number of bushels than twenty-live, then the weight G must be used, and it is to be moved to the bushel-notch f ofthe indexbeam, which represents the number of bushels desired to be weighed. The bushel-scale for the weight E is graded from one totwentytive, and the bushel-notches in the index-beam are placed at twenty-dye bushels, or multiples thereof, and by this means any desired number of bushels may be weighed up to the full capacity ot' the scales. It', now, it isv desired to weigh by pounds instead of bushels, the bushel-notches in the index-beam and the bushel-index for the weight E must be ignored and the pound-notches and index used instead, the operation ot weighing being similar in both instances. q

It will thus be seen that I am enabled to readily weigh pounds or bushels on the same beam, and when bushels are to be weighed there will be no necessity ot' a mathematical calculation to arrive at the desired result.

The various beams being directly in front of the operator and the indexes being on inclined surfaces, the weights and measures are very easily read oti' by the operator, and the particular contlguration otl the various weights and beams always insures perfect accuracy.

It will be obvious that the beam may be constructed for weighing bushels of wheat, corn, or other grain by simply arranging the bushel-notches in the bar F at the proper intervals, and when so constructed it will fall within the scope of my invention.

Various features of my invention may be used independently ofthe other features-as, for instance, the tare-beam may be omitted.

What I claim as new and ot' my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The index-beam C3, consisting ot' a vertical plate, F, and an inclined plate, F', in coinbination with the weights G and E, properly supported, the plate F being provided with indexes for said weights, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The index-beam C3, having an inclined plate, F', in combination with weight G at its` upper edge and weight E at its lower edge, substantially as and for the purposes speci fied.

3. The weight G, provided with a longitudinal recess, located at one side of the longitudinal vertical center, and resting and sliding on the main beam C, in combination with the index-beam G3, located at one side of said main beam, the weight being provided with a lug, H, adapted to rest on the upper edge ot' the index-beam, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. The combination of the indexbeam G3,

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provided with notchesff, each having a vertical face and an inclined i'ace, in combination with the weight G, resting onthe beam G, and provided with the lug H, having a beveled lower edge to engage with said notches, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5.,lhe scale-beam B, constructed substantially as described, in combination with the adjustable end J, having connected thereto the counterbalance-weight L and the adjustment-weight K, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

ISAAC RIGDON.

Witnesses:

A. S. LUDLow, W. P. GULtcK. 

